Keyboard mechanism for linotype-machines, &amp;c.



,y J. 13.. ROGERS. KHYBOABD'MFGHANISM FOB LINOTYPE MACHINES, dw.

. APPLICATION 'FILBDJURE 23, 191.

- y Panmd'ocne, 1910.

2 SHEETS-s111111: 1.

` WITNESSES:

UNITED STAT-Es JOHN R. ROGERS,

rA'rENT oEEIoE.

or BROOKLYN,y NEW YORK, Assrenon To MERGENTHALER L INO- i TYPE COMPANY, ACOEPOEATION or NEW YORK.

KEYBOARD MEorIANIslvi FOR Lrivo'rYrE ivracmivnsll aw.

Specification of Letters Patent.

. Applicationled June 23, 1910. Serial No. 568,470.

My invention` relates to keyboard mechanisms and is more particularly designedto insure a-precletermined and definite interval between the operationv of successively selected escapement-operating members. In the form specifically described in the specification, and as `presented in the drawings, it is shown as applied to the keyboard mechanism of the well-known linotype machine, but-obacquire a regular touch and that ordinarilyviously itis equally applicable to otherv keyboards, and in fact to any form of device wherein such definite intervals :in operation are necessary or desirable.

In the use of the keyboards ofv linotype and other typographical machines, experience shows that operators as a general rule they depress three or four keys per second, which `rate of speed permitsthe regular and satisfactory delivery ofthe matrices or type'. It oft'enhappens, however. that in certain familiar combinations, such as the -word the, the word and, and. the like,

they `will strike the keys ata much more rapid-rate, and thus tend to clog the assembleror else cause Atransposition of the let- .fters Moreover, such undesirable results also arise at the hands of .less experienced Aand skilful operators, who are not ableto maintain a umform rate, and who at tunes operate certain of the keys m-too rapid succession.

these difficulties by mechanical appliances which establish predetermined and definite intervals between the actuation ofsuccessivelyA selected escapemeut devices, this being entirely independent of the skill or speed of the operator. l

In the accompanyingdrawings: Figure 1 is a right-hand end View, partly in section and partly broken away, of the keyboard mechanism and connected parts; Fig. 2 is an enlarged detail View; and Fig.A 3 is an enlarged sectional View, somewhat similar to Fig. 1, showing variouspositions in the op'- eration of the parts.

Patent No. 808,873, January 2, 1906, but as.

before stated it may be similarly employed in connection with other mechanisms, and I desire it to be distinctly understood that I do not limit myself to any specific form or embodiment exceptin so far as such limitations are specified in the claims.

Generally "speaking, the matrices .L` are stored in the channels of the magazine "M, and their'V delivery therefrom is controlled by the escapements N. These escapements are operated by key-rods or reeds A, A, haying the teeth A10 which are actuated in one direction by the power-drivenserrated roll .E and in the opposite direction by the springs O, O. The selection of the reeds or key-rods A is governed by the key-levers RLP, which operate through the key-bars D to release the reeds A, A, and permit them to be drawn toward the actuating roll E by the springsCl. v Each reed A is provided with a. projecting nose Q which, as the reed is actuated, engages withthe teeth of the roll E' and thus restores the reed to its normal position.` These parts are old in the art and are arranged and operated in substantially a similar manner to those set forth in my Letters Patent.V previously referred to.

It will be seen that the means above described do not necessarily insure a 'prede-A termined and definite interval between the actuation of successively selected reeds, which it is the purpose of my present-invention to effect. 'Io this end, I provide a rotatable roller B, longitudinally grooved .at B1, which roller is located near the bottoms or ends of they reeds A; A, and in such relation thereto that when reed A is selected and released, one O fi the grooves Bx therein will be entered and engaged by a projectingl lug A1 formed at the end of the reed. The r'oll B is preferably constructed of aluminum, wood,.orl some very light substance, so as to reduce 'its momentum kto the minimum; and I prefer also to provide the. roll with a spring-mounted detentC (see Fig. 2), orsimilar frictional device, to prevent overthrow. f

lVhen e1 reed A is selected and released, its spring C1 draws it into engagement with -the serrated roll E, and at the same time Patented Oct. 25, 1910.

throws its` lug U into the registering` groove BI of the roll B. The rotation of the roll E then moves the reed downward and simultaneously effects the rotation of the roll B until the lug AJ is disengaged from the groove B1 bythe rearward `motion of the reed A caused by the engagement of its nose Q with the serrated roll E in the manner previously described. At this time the roll B comes to rest with its succeeding groove B1 in position to be engaged by the lug A1 of the next selected reed A. It will be manifest that if the operator touches a key, and releases a second reed Abefore the irst. reed has reached its lowest point, its lug A1 will strike upon the outer peripheral portion of the roll B, and consequently the reed will be held from engaging with the roll E until the second groove B1 of the. roll B is presented in registering position. In other words, an interval is established between the actuation. of two successively se- ,lected reeds equal tothe time consumed by.

the partial rotation of the roll B. Therefore, it becomes immaterial how brief is the interval between the actuation of two successive keys, as no second type or matrix will be released before the first type or matrix has been, properly delivered. II thus secure a small but distinct and certain interval between the action of the escape'- ments, no matter how rapidly the operator touches the successive key, and even though the difference be only a small fraction of `a second. On the ,other hand, the lapse of time in the movement of the roll B f rom one groove to the next is so very smallthat it is a virtual impossibility for the operator to touch two keys within it, so that two reeds would engage the next presented groove together. Y

As previously stated, the form of embodiment herein disclosed is simply given by way of example .and as a preferred form, and numerous variations and modifications therein will suggest themselves to those skilled in the art without departure from the spirit of my invention.

Having thus describedmy invention, its construction and mode of operation, what I claimv and desire. to secure by Letters Batent of the United States is yas follows:

l. In a keyboard mechanism, the combination of a plurality of escapement-operating members and actuating devices therefor, with independent means to establish a: predetermined and definite interval between the actuation of the successively selected members.

In a keyboard mechanism, the combination of a plurality of escapement-operatl ing memlwrs, selecting and actuating means therefor, with independent means to estab lish a. predetermined and: definite interval between the actuation of the successively selected members.

3. In a keyboard mechanism, the' combination of a I Jluralityof escapement-operating members, selecting and actuating means therefor, together with independent means to hold a selected-member temporarily out of engagement with the act-uatino means to' establish a predetermined and denite interval between the actuation of the successively selected members,

4. In a keyboard mechanism, the combi-4 means therefor, with a rotatable roll formed with grooves adapted to engage the said members, whereby a selected member engages one of the grooves thereof and rotates the roll and thus holds a second selected member out of engagement with the actua-ting means until another groove registers therewith. 1

\ G.. In akeyboard mechanism, the combination of a plurality of escapement-operating members, an actuating roll therefor, and means to select and engage the said members with the actuating roll, together with independent means to hold a selected member temporarily out of engagement with the actuating roll to establish a predetermined and definite interval between the actuation of the successively selected members.

7. In a keyboard' mechanism, the combination of a plurality of escapement-operating members, an actuating roll therefor, and means toselectand engage the said members with the actuating roll, together with a grooved roll adapted to hold a selected member temporarily out of engagement with the actuating roll.

S. In a keyboard mechanism, the combination of the escapement-operating mem'- bers A, actuating roll E, and springs C1, with the grooved roll B, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I hereunto 'set my hand this twentydirst day of J une, 1910, in the presence of two attesting witnesses.

JOHN R. ROGERS.

Witnesses v DAv-m S. KENNEDY, LUCY SMITH. 

